Cordless hair curling tool, method and system of same

ABSTRACT

A cordless hair styling tool, method and system of same including a heated base unit, a plurality of hair rollers heated within the base unit, and a wand detachably engageable to the heated rollers. The rollers have an exterior surface, a clamping means mounted to the exterior surface for permitting clamping of the hair to be styled, and an interior cavity having a locking recess. The wand has a handle portion and an engaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion for detachably engaging with the locking recess of the roller. The wand has a clamping lever pivotally connected to the handle portion for coupling with the clamping means. The wand has a releasing means for detaching the wand from the roller. A spring locking mechanism having a spring element is interposed between the clamping lever and clamping means for opening and closing the clamping means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/833,165 filed in the United States Patent and TrademarkOffice on Jun. 10, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to hair styling tools, and moreparticularly, to a cordless hair curling tool, method and system ofsame, which combines the benefits of hot rollers with the convenience ofa curling iron.

2. Description of the Related Art

Millions of people use curling irons to style their hair. However,ordinary curling irons have many disadvantages including cords that gettangled and in the way. In addition, ordinary irons require being heldin the hair for a long period of time (5-10 seconds) in order to providelonger lasting curls, which is time consuming when curling a large headof hair. It also causes a user's arms to become easily tired fromholding the iron upwardly in place.

Marcel clamps are one improvement on conventional curling irons, but areknown to cause burns to users because they are heavy and cumbersome anddifficult to manipulate. Similarly, traditional hot rollers aredifficult to apply and wrap around the hair and usually create anunattractive kink or bend at the end of the hair strand. They are alsoknown for not getting hot enough to provide a long lasting curl, beingheavy in the hair, and lacking an efficient integrated clampingmechanism to hold the hair in position.

The present invention is a cordless hair curling system, which combinesthe benefits of hot rollers with the convenience of a curling iron. Thepresent invention seeks to resolve the disadvantages with the prior artas disclosed herein and includes using the tool of the present system toapply unique rollers to the hair.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide amethod and system for applying improved heated curling rollers to thehair via a unique cordless hair styling tool.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair stylingtool that includes a cordless wand and handle portion for eliminatingthe presence of tangled power cords.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cordless wandthat is detachably engageable with the curling rollers for quickly andefficiently applying heated rollers to the hair.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique methodfor engaging and disengaging the rollers from the wand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide curling rollerswith an improved integrated clamping means for permitting gripping andreleasing of hair to be curled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a base unithaving a plurality of receptacles for conveniently heating a pluralityof curling rollers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the base unitwith integrated means for conveniently transporting and storing thecordless wand and curling rollers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method ofcurling strands of hair using heated curling rollers that remain in thehair for longer periods of time in order to provide curls that last allday long.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an entire headof hair with beautiful curls in half the time as traditional curlingirons and/or hot rollers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system forstyling strands of hair from a root end to a free end is provided. Thesystem includes a heated base unit and a plurality of hair rollersheated within the base unit. The rollers have an exterior surface, meansmounted to the exterior surface for permitting clamping of hair to bestyled, and an interior cavity having a locking recess. A wand isdetachably engageable to the roller. The wand has a handle portion, anengaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion forengaging with the locking recess of the roller, a clamping leverpivotally connected to the handle portion for coupling with the clampingmeans, and means for releasing the wand from the roller by disengagingthe locking means.

The hair styling system may further include means for detachablyengaging the clamping means of the hair roller with the clamping leverof the wand.

In accordance with an additional embodiment, a hair styling system isprovided having a plurality of rollers having an exterior diameteraround which the hair is styled. The rollers have an opened first endhaving an interior cavity having a locking recess, and an elongatedclamping means mounted to the exterior diameter of the roller forpermitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled. A cylindricalwand is detachably engageable with the hair roller. The wand has ahandle portion for providing a surface for gripping the wand, anengaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion, and aclamping lever pivotally connected to the handle portion. The engagingmember of the wand extends within the opened first end of the interiorcavity of the roller for detachably engaging the wand to the roller.

The engaging member of the wand may further include an outwardlyextending locking means for detachably securing within the lockingrecess of the roller.

The hair styling system may further include means for releasing the wandfrom the roller. The releasing means is in communication with theoutwardly extending locking means for retracting and detracting thelocking means when depressed.

The clamping means may include a receiving groove. The clamping lever ofthe wand detachably engages the receiving groove of the clamping meansfor allowing movement of the clamping means toward and away from theexterior diameter of the wand for permitting gripping and releasing ofhair to be styled.

The clamping means has raised sides engageable with the exteriordiameter of the hair roller for gripping and holding hair against theexterior of the roller.

The hair styling system may further include a heating base unit having aplurality of receptacles for matingly receiving and storing theplurality of hair rollers in an upright position therein.

The hair styling system may further include means for receivingelectrical power from an external source, and an electrical receptaclefor receiving a plug means therein and for delivering power to theheating base unit from the external source.

In accordance with an additional embodiment a hair styling system isprovided having a plurality of cylindrical curling rollers having anexterior diameter around which the hair is curled. The curling rollershave an opened first end having an interior cavity having a lockingrecess, and an elongated clamping means mounted to the exterior diameterof the roller having a receiving groove for permitting gripping andreleasing of hair to be curled. A cylindrical wand is detachablyengageable with the curling roller. The wand has a handle portion forproviding a surface for gripping the wand, an engaging member extendingco-axially from the handle portion, and a clamping lever pivotallyconnected to the handle portion and having an elongated engagingportion. The locking recess of the roller is slightly larger than theinterior diameter of the roller such that the engaging member of thewand extends within the opened first end of the interior cavity of theroller and detachably engages to the locking recess. The elongatedengaging portion of the clamping lever is detachably engageable to thereceiving groove of the clamping means for allowing movement of theclamping means toward and away from the exterior diameter of the wandfor permitting gripping and releasing of hair to be curled.

The engaging member of the wand may further include a retractablelocking means having outwardly extending opposed members for detachablysecuring to the locking recess of the curling roller.

The hair styling system may further include means for releasing the wandfrom the curling roller, wherein the releasing means is in communicationwith the retractable locking means for retracting and detracting theopposed members when depressed.

The clamping means may have raised sides engageable with the exteriordiameter of the curling roller for gripping and holding the hair aboutthe exterior of the curling roller.

The clamping means of the curling roller may alternate between an openedand a closed position. The clamping lever further includes a springlocking means having a spring element for biasing the clamping means inthe closed position when the wand and the roller are coupled together.

The clamping lever is depressed toward the handle portion to engage thespring element of the spring locking means and move the clamping meansaway from the exterior diameter of the curling roller toward the openedposition when the wand and the curling roller are coupled together.

The hair styling system may further include a heated base unit having aplurality of receptacles for matingly receiving and storing theplurality of curling rollers in an upright position therein.

The hair styling system may further include means for receivingelectrical power from an external source, and an electrical receptaclefor receiving a plug means therein and for delivering power to theheating base from the external source.

In accordance with an additional embodiment a method of curling strandsof hair from a root end to a free end using a hair styling system isprovided. The system includes a heated base unit, a plurality of hairrollers having an exterior diameter, an opened end, a clamping meansmounted to the exterior diameter, and a wand having a handle portion, anengaging member extending co-axially from the handle portion, a clampinglever pivotally connected to the handle portion, and a release button.The steps comprise heating the plurality of hair rollers stored inindividual receptacles within the heated base unit.

Gripping the handle portion of the wand and inserting the engagingmember within the opened end of one heated hair roller. Detachablyengaging the engaging member within the hair roller and the clampinglever to the clamping means. Opening the clamping means by depressingthe clamping lever on the handle portion toward the wand. Inserting astrand of hair near the root end between the clamping means and theexterior diameter of the hair roller. Closing the clamping means byreleasing the clamping lever and allowing the clamping means to grip thestrand of hair. Winding the strand of hair around the hair roller fromthe root end to the free end. Releasing the wand from the hair roller bydepressing the release button. The method of curling strands of hair mayfurther include repeating the above steps on each strand of hair to bestyled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, thepresent invention relates to a cordless hair styling tool, method andsystem of same as described in detail in the following specification andrecited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cordless hair styling tool showing awand and curling roller co-axially attached;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cordless hair styling tool of FIG. 1showing the wand removed from the curling roller;

FIG. 3A is top perspective view of the curling roller of the presentinvention showing the clamping means;

FIG. 3B is bottom perspective view of the curling roller of the presentinvention showing the interior cavity;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the curling roller of the presentinvention taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is bottom plan view of the curling roller showing the interiorcavity and receiving groove;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing aclamping lever having an elongated engaging portion;

FIG. 4B is a side plan view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing the clampinglever;

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing the retractablelocking means having outwardly extending opposed members;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the wand of FIG. 1 showing a springlocking mechanism for opening and closing the clamping means bydepressing and releasing the clamping lever;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a base unit of the system of the presentinvention, showing a plurality of hair curling receptacles for matinglystoring and receiving curling rollers;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base unit of the system of thepresent invention showing a receiving compartment for storing the wandtherein;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the hair styling tool of FIG. 1 showingthe preferred method for styling a strand of hair by accepting thestrand between the curling roller and clamping means; and

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the hair styling tool of FIG. 1 showingthe curling roller in position for curling a strand of hair after thewand has been removed from the curling roller.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention maybe embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only.

Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited onlyby the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 is directed to acordless hair styling tool 10, method and system of the same. Thecordless hair styling tool 10 is designed to combine the benefit of hotrollers with the convenience of a cordless curling or styling iron toprovide waving or curling effects to the hair. In its broadest context,the hair styling tool 10 includes a cordless cylindrical wand 12removably attached co-axially to a curling roller 40.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the cordless cylindrical wand 12 having ahandle portion 14, preferably covered with neoprene, for providing acool surface 16 for gripping the wand 12. The wand 12 includes anengaging member 18 extending co-axially from the handle portion 14. Theengaging member 18 includes an exterior diameter 20 and a retractablelocking means 22. In the preferred embodiment, the retractable lockingmeans 22 includes a pair of opposed members 24 that extend outwardlyfrom the engaging member 18. The wand 12 includes a clamping lever 30pivotally connected by a spring locking mechanism 34 to the handleportion 14 and an elongated engaging portion 32.

The cordless hair styling tool 10 includes a plurality of cylindricalcurling rollers 40, preferably one and one-half inches in diameter. Inthe preferred embodiment, the rollers 40 include a tubular body 42having an exterior surface diameter 44 around which the hair is curledand a hollow interior cavity 43 having an interior diameter 45 and alocking recess 47 for engaging with the retractable locking mechanism22. Alternative roller embodiments, aside from the preferred tubularembodiment present herein, are contemplated for producing uniquedesigns, spirals, kinks, weaves, curls and other effects to the hair.

Referring to FIG. 2, the engaging member 18 of the wand 12 is insertedinto the roller 40 and locked in position when the opposed members 24 ofthe retractable locking means 22 engage with the locking recess 47 ofthe roller 40. A release button means 50, preferably a push button, iscoupled to the exterior of the wand 12 and in communication with theretractable locking means 22 for retracting and detracting the opposedmember 24 when depressed. Preferably, the pair of opposed members 24 areheld within the engaging member 18 when the push button 50 is notdepressed so that the engaging member 18 of the wand can be easilyinserted into the roller 40. After insertion, the push button 50 isdepressed causing the opposed members 24 to extend outwardly from theengaging member 18 to matingly secure within the locking recess 47 ofthe tubular body 42 of the interior cavity 43 of the roller 40. Toremove the wand 12 from the roller 40 the push button 50 is selectivelydepressed causing the opposed members 24 to retract into the engagingmember 18. This allows the engaging member 18 of the wand 12 to beremoved from the interior cavity 43 of the roller 40.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, the tubular body 42 includes an open first end42A and a closed second end 42B. The tubular body 42 includes anelongated clamping means 46, preferably a hair clamp, mounted to theexterior of the tubular body 42. The hair clamp 46 includes means 52 fordetachably engaging the roller to the elongated engaging portion 32 ofthe clamping lever 30 of the wand 12. Preferably, the means includes areceiving groove 52 extending within the tubular body 42 for acceptingthe elongated engaging portion 32 therein. The hair clamp 46 alternatesbetween a biased or closed position 46A resting adjacent the exteriorsurface diameter 44, shown in FIG. 7B, and an opened position 46Binclined away from the exterior surface diameter 44, shown in FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4D, the spring locking mechanism 34 is interposedbetween the hair clamp 46 and clamping lever 30. In the preferredembodiment, the mechanism 34 may include a spring element 35positionable underneath the clamping lever 30. When the elongatedportion 32 of the clamping lever 30 is engageable with the receivinggroove 52 of the roller 40, the spring locking mechanism 34 biases thehair clamp 46 in a resting or closed position 46A, shown in FIG. 1. Whenthe clamping lever 30 is depressed toward the handle portion 14 of thewand 12, the spring element 35 of the spring locking mechanism 34 isengaged to move the hair clamp 46 away from the exterior diameter 42 ofthe roller 40 toward the opened position 46B. When the clamping lever 30of the wand 12 is released, the spring element 35 of the spring lockingmechanism 34 is disengaged to release the hair clamp 46 to the closedposition 46A for holding the hair within the roller 40.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the system of the present invention includesa base unit 60 having a plurality of equally spaced receptacles 62 forconveniently heating curling rollers therein. Preferably, twelve equallyspaced receptacles are present. The receptacles are for matinglyreceiving and storing the plurality of curling rollers 40 therein. Eachis stored in an upright position within the receptacle. The base unit 60includes a means 64 for receiving electrical power from an externalsource, which preferably includes an electrical receptacle 66 forreceiving a plug means 68 therein for delivering power to the heatingbase unit from the external source. The base unit 60 includes a clearcover 70, a power button 72 for actuating the electrical power and astorage compartment 74. The storage compartment 74 is a compartment formatingly receiving and storing the wand 12 therein while not in use.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the preferred method of curling strands ofhair 80 from a root end 80A to a free end 80B using the hair stylingtool 10. First, a stylist heats the plurality of curling rollers 40stored in individual receptacles within the heated base unit 60 bydepressing the power button 72 and turning the power on. Once therollers 40 are heated, the stylist removes the wand 12 from the storagecompartment 74 and grips the handle portion 14 of the wand 12 andinserts the engaging member 18 within the opened end 45 of one heatedhair roller 40. The stylist locks the engaging member 18 within the hairroller 40 by depressing the push button 50. Next, the stylist opens theclamping means 46 by depressing the clamping lever 30 on the wand 12toward the handle portion 14. Then, the stylist inserts a strand of hair80 near the root end 80A between the clamping means 46 and exteriordiameter 44 of the hair roller 40 and closes the clamping means 46 byreleasing the clamping lever 30 and allowing the clamping means 46 togrip the strand of hair. The stylist then winds the strand of hairaround the hair roller 40 from the root end to the free end. The stylistmay further secure the hair to the roller 40 by adding a comb clip orother similar securing means to the exterior of the roller 40. Next, thestylist releases the wand 12 from the hair roller 40 by depressing therelease button 50. The steps are repeated in order to selectivelyposition the plurality of hair rollers 40 to each strand of hair to bestyled.

After the rollers 40 have been left in the hair for the desired amountof time they are removed, and perfectly styled strands remain. Therollers 40 may be removed manually by removing the comb clip and gentlypulling the roller 40 away from the head, or automatically by connectingthe wand 12 to the roller 40 and depressing the clamping lever 30.

Once the hair has been styled, the rollers 40 may be placed back in thereceptacles 62 and the wand 12 stored within the cylindrical storagecompartment 74 of the base 60.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to acordless hair styling tool, method and system of the same designed tocombine the benefit of hot rollers with the convenience of a cordlesscurling iron to provide waving or curling effects to the hair. Theinvention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, andthroughout the written description.

It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, whileadhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated asbeing a part of the present invention.

While only one preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendisclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that manymodifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended tocover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within thescope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A system for styling strands of hair from a root end to afree end, comprising: a heated base unit; a plurality of hair rollersheated within said base unit, said rollers having an exterior surface,means mounted to said exterior surface for permitting clamping of hairto be styled, and interior cavity having a locking recess; and a wanddetachably engageable to said roller, said wand having a handle portion,an engaging member extending co-axially from said handle portion forengaging with said locking recess of said roller, a clamping leverpivotally connected to said handle portion for coupling with saidclamping means, and means for releasing said wand from said roller bydisengaging said locking means.
 2. The hair styling system of claim 1further comprising means for detachably engaging said clamping means ofsaid hair roller with said clamping lever of said wand.
 3. A hairstyling system, comprising: a plurality of rollers having an exteriordiameter around which the hair is styled, an opened first end having aninterior cavity having a locking recess, and an elongated clamping meansmounted to said exterior diameter of said roller for permitting grippingand releasing of hair to be curled; and a cylindrical wand detachablyengageable with said hair roller, said wand having a handle portion forproviding a surface for gripping said wand, an engaging member extendingco-axially from said handle portion, and a clamping lever pivotallyconnected to said handle portion, wherein said engaging member of saidwand extends within said opened first end of said interior cavity ofsaid roller for detachably engaging said wand to said roller.
 4. Thehair styling system of claim 3 wherein said engaging member of said wandfurther includes outwardly extending locking means for detachablysecuring within said locking recess of said roller.
 5. The hair stylingsystem of claim 4 further comprising means for releasing said wand fromsaid roller, wherein said releasing means being in communication withsaid outwardly extending locking means for retracting and detractingsaid locking means when depressed.
 6. The hair styling system of claim 3wherein said clamping means includes a receiving groove and saidclamping lever of said wand detachably engages said receiving groove ofsaid clamping means for allowing movement of said clamping means towardand away from said exterior diameter of said wand for permittinggripping and releasing of hair to be styled.
 7. The hair styling systemof claim 3 wherein said clamping means has raised sides engageable withsaid exterior diameter of said hair roller for gripping and holding hairagainst said exterior of said roller.
 8. The hair styling system ofclaim 3 further comprising a heating base unit having a plurality ofreceptacles for matingly receiving and storing said plurality of hairrollers in an upright position therein.
 9. The hair styling system ofclaim 8 further comprising means for receiving electrical power from anexternal source, and an electrical receptacle for receiving a plug meanstherein and for delivering power to said heating base unit from saidexternal source.
 10. A hair styling system, comprising: a plurality ofcylindrical curling rollers having an exterior diameter around which thehair is curled, an opened first end having an interior cavity having alocking recess, and an elongated clamping means mounted to said exteriordiameter of said roller having a receiving groove for permittinggripping and releasing of hair to be curled; and a cylindrical wanddetachably engageable with said curling roller, said wand having ahandle portion for providing a surface for gripping said wand, anengaging member extending co-axially from said handle portion, and aclamping lever pivotally connected to said handle portion and having anelongated engaging portion; wherein said locking recess of said rolleris slightly larger than said interior diameter of said roller such thatsaid engaging member of said wand extends within said opened first endof said interior cavity of said roller and detachably engages to saidlocking recess, wherein said elongated engaging portion of said clampinglever is detachably engageable to said receiving groove of said clampingmeans for allowing movement of said clamping means toward and away fromsaid exterior diameter of said wand for permitting gripping andreleasing of hair to be curled.
 11. The hair styling system of claim 10wherein said engaging member of said wand further includes retractablelocking means having outwardly extending opposed members for detachablysecuring to said locking recess of said curling roller.
 12. The hairstyling system of claim 11 further comprising means for releasing saidwand from said curling roller, wherein said releasing means being incommunication with said retractable locking means for retracting anddetracting said opposed members when depressed.
 13. The hair stylingsystem of claim 10 wherein said clamping means has raised sidesengageable with said exterior diameter of said curling roller forgripping and holding the hair about said exterior of said curlingroller.
 14. The hair styling system of claim 10 wherein the clampingmeans of said curling roller alternates between an opened and a closedposition.
 15. The hair styling system of claim 14 wherein said clampinglever further comprises a spring locking means having a spring elementfor biasing said clamping means in said closed position when said wandand said roller are coupled together.
 16. The hair styling system ofclaim 15 wherein said clamping lever is depressed toward said handleportion to engage said spring element of said spring locking means andmove said clamping means away from said exterior diameter of saidcurling roller toward the opened position when said wand and saidcurling roller are coupled together.
 17. The hair styling system ofclaim 10 further comprising a heated base unit having a plurality ofreceptacles for matingly receiving and storing said plurality of curlingrollers in an upright position therein.
 18. The hair styling system ofclaim 17 further comprising means for receiving electrical power from anexternal source, and an electrical receptacle for receiving a plug meanstherein and for delivering power to said heating base from said externalsource.
 19. A method of curling strands of hair from a root end to afree end using a hair styling system, wherein said system include aheated base unit, a plurality of hair rollers having an exteriordiameter, an opened end, a clamping means mounted to said exteriordiameter, and a wand having a handle portion, an engaging memberextending co-axially from said handle portion, a clamping leverpivotally connected to said handle portion, and a release button, thesteps comprising: a. heating the plurality of hair rollers stored inindividual receptacles within the heated base unit; b. gripping thehandle portion of the wand and inserting the engaging member within theopened end of one heated hair roller; c. detachably engaging theengaging member within the hair roller and the clamping lever to theclamping means; d. opening the clamping means by depressing the clampinglever on the handle portion toward the wand; e. inserting a strand ofhair near the root end between the clamping means and the exteriordiameter of the hair roller; f. closing the clamping means by releasingthe clamping lever and allowing the clamping means to grip the strand ofhair; g. winding the strand of hair around the hair roller from the rootend to the free end; and h. releasing the wand from the hair roller bydepressing the release button.
 20. The method of curling strands of hairof claim 19, the steps further comprising repeating steps b) through h)on each said strand of hair to be styled.